The verdict
Documented Sampling History
The rare case where the rights holder tells you the process himself: Bob James personally controls the publishing and reviews every sample request (“I am the record company… the artist, record company, and composer by law”). A confirmed, living, engaged songwriter, no dispute found.
Sampled 300+ times
Used by independents?
Yes — used by Run-D.M.C. on the independent Profile Records, among many hip-hop tracks.
Quick Facts
Released1974
AlbumOne
GenreJazz-Funk
LabelCTI Records
ProducerCreed Taylor
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter AND administrator — Bob James personally — he reviews every sample request himself
Vinyl-magic → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — 300–410+ documented uses (Run-DMC, Eric B. & Rakim, Ghostface, ATCQ, Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.,” Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story”). James’ whole catalog has been sampled 1,500+ times.
Do they allow reuse?
Yes in practice — James personally reviews and decides on each request; a confirmed, functioning, personally-administered path.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same artist — its own clearance also needs Paul Simon’s publisher, per James (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The writing AND the administration — both Bob JamesBob James personally controls the publishing and reviews every sample request himself: “I am the record company… the artist, record company, and composer by law.” He personally listens to each request before deciding. A last-minute untitled home demo, placed at the end of Side B as “filler.”
A real exception — relevant to Take Me to the Mardi GrasJames clarified two exceptions to his own control: “Angela” (the Taxi theme) is administered by the TV production company; and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” (already in this catalog) — his instrumental cover of a Paul Simon composition — also needs separate permission from Paul Simon’s publisher, since James controls only his sound recording, not the underlying song.
The recording (current administrator)Bob James personally
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
He learned about the samples informally, after the fact
James has said he had zero relationship with or interest in hip-hop when the classic samples were happening — often learning of extensive sampling only informally, and realizing it had first happened without permission.
Discogs · read it →
A self-aware nod to his own legacy
In 2018 James released “Submarine” (from “Espresso”), deliberately sampling himself and blending it so seamlessly with new playing that it’s hard to tell where the “Nautilus” samples end and new material begins.
DownBeat · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
300+
Times sampled
Among hip-hop’s most-sampled tracks
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itRun-DMC · Eric B. & Rakim · Ghostface Killah · Slick Rick
Who to Contact
NA
Bob James
The songwriter who personally administers and reviews every sample request
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
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Page history · 4 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 7)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass
Jul 2026Page created — full research (New Discovery batch)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass